Press Release

May 4, 2009 - LEGAL WATCHDOG GROUP HAILS UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE HEARING AS A GOOD FIRST STEP TOWARD LEGAL REFORM

I-LAW urges Illinois residents to put pressure on lawmakers to help state's ailing economy by approving much-needed legal reforms

(Marion, IL) – Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch (I-LAW) executive director Travis Akin says an upcoming legislative hearing on key lawsuit reform initiatives is a good first step toward shedding Illinois' reputation as a "lawsuit magnet" and creating a more favorable environment for job growth.

"Illinois is routinely ranked as one of the worst states in the country for legal fairness," Akin said. "One reason for the state's dubious reputation as a 'plaintiffs' paradise' is the lack of meaningful lawsuit reforms. Companies look to create jobs where the legal climate is fair. If we are going to attract new jobs and opportunities to Illinois then we need to make reforming our legal system a priority. It is time we put the brakes on out-of-state personal injury lawyers from targeting Illinois as a great place to file their junk lawsuits. The measures being considered at this hearing would go a long way toward achieving these goals."

Lawmakers from both the House and the Senate will be considering several lawsuit reform bills. Two bills the committee will consider are SB 1963 and SB 1965. Akin said SB 1963 would establish some stricter guidelines on where a lawsuit can be filed in Illinois. Senate Bill 1965 would put into law some requirements on expert witness testimony in civil cases such as qualifications, testimony, disclosure, and compensation of expert witnesses and basis of expert opinion testimony for anyone testifying as an expert witness in civil cases.

"Year after year lawsuit reforms are introduced in the Illinois General Assembly and year after year these bills get bottled up in committees and never see the light of day," Akin said. "The upcoming hearing is a significant step forward, but it is up to Illinois residents to join in the fight and continue to help build momentum for these reforms. The hearing should be the beginning of the process, not the end result."

Akin continued, "Lawsuit reforms can help keep jobs here, much like the medical malpractice reforms of a few years ago successfully have helped to help attract and retain doctors in Illinois. At a time when lawmakers are considering a host of costly stimulus plans and tax hikes, lawsuit reforms are even more attractive since they won't cost Illinois taxpayers one dime."

Return to Newroom